Good afternoon! Just picked up a small pile of cull/lower grade IHC, and out of the pile I have 5 prospective L 1864 (pointed bust) cents. I'm trying to decide which make the cut for the variety...and to be honest, my brain is doing that thing where you've looked at so many coins everything turns out to be a yes AND a no...so I'm putting it to the group. I'm numbering them 1-5 starting on the top left, so 1 2 3 4 5 Looking at the photo, I'm thinking this is how I'd call them: 1,3,5 YES (pointed bust or L) 2,4 NO What do you think?
I think you are correct on all of them. The only one I have hesitation on is 3. I'll wait for others.
I would take 1 and 3, no on 2 and 4, and pretty sure no on 5, although in hand might be different. The point is important but look at the relationship of the tip of the point in relation to the serif of the 1 in the date. # 5 may or may not line up like 1 and 3 do. IMO, Jim
Thanks to everyone for the replies so far - @desertgem - that's a great comment about checking the relationship of the point and the 1. On #5, I'm going to say it's a Pointed Bust - yeah, there is some damage there making the distinction cloudy, but with a loupe it's the same as the other PB.
My preferred diagnostic in low grades is the relationship between the last A and the hair curl. 1, 3, 4, 5 are the Ls.
